Background

The thrash metal sound of Slayer was formed in Huntington Beach, CA in 1982. Comprising Tom Araya (bass, vocals), Kerry King (guitar), Jeff Hanneman (guitar) and Dave Lombardo (drums), they made their debut in 1983, with a track on the compilation Metal Massacre III. After that the rest has been history. The band played at breakneck speed with amazing technical precision, but the intricacies of detail were lost in a muddy production. Araya's lyrics dealt with death, carnage, Satanism and torture, but were reduced to an indecipherable guttural howl. But this chaos called music is what set the ways for Slayer and many bands to follow.

Through the years, Slayer has been hit with much controversy over their lyrics, including lawsuits. But through the years Slayer has managed to build a following from coast to coast. Slayer has played such tours as Monsters of Rock, Ozzfest, and recently toured the U.S. co-headling with Pantera.

Now almost 20 years later, Slayer is still playing just as hard as ever. Will Slayer ever stop? Not likely, considering they are keeping up with thrash bands half their age, after all they did start it!

During a recent interview with "The Metal Show", heard live on 92.3 FM WXRK in Cleveland, SLAYER vocalist Tom Araya slammed STATIC-X while discussing their performance during a tour with SLAYER, PANTERA, MORBID ANGEL and others. The following is an excerpt from the interview:

The Metal Show: It's not like the SLAYER fans are very giving when it comes to anybody but you guys playing.

Tom Araya: "Well, they kind of are, especially if you're good. You know…they'll give into you."

The Metal Show: I don't know, man. I saw you guys here on the tour with PANTERA and STATIC-X where STATIC-X got booed right off the stage while people were chanting "SLAYER!"

SLAYER frontman Tom Araya will take part in an online chat on Monday, March 20 at 1:00 p.m. at ESPGuitars.com.

The four original members of SLAYER — Araya, Kerry King (guitar), Jeff Hanneman (guitar), and Dave Lombardo (drums) — recently entered a Los Angeles-area studio to record what will be their first new studio album since 1990's "Seasons In The Abyss". Uber-producer Rick Rubin, who helped solidify the much-emulated SLAYER sound beginning with their genre-defining 1986 classic "Reign In Blood", has taken the helm as executive producer of the project. Working closely with Rubin will be Josh Abraham (KORN, VELVET REVOLVER, ATREYU) who will produce the album.

Jeff, Tom and Kerry have been writing songs for this new album since they wrapped their last North American tour in September 2004. Working songtitles include "Catalyst", "Cult", "Supremist", and "Consfearacy".

On June 6 in San Diego, CA, SLAYER will kick off a seven-week summer trek, "The Unholy Alliance Tour ­ Preaching to the Perverted", also featuring LAMB OF GOD, MASTODON and CHILDREN OF BODOM (who will rotate the second and third slots), and THINE EYES BLEED who will open the shows.

Singer Justin Wolfe of the Canadian thrash/metalcore act THINE EYES BLEED — who feature in their ranks former KITTIE guitarist/technician Jeff Phillips and bassist Johnny Araya (photo; brother of SLAYER's Tom Araya) — have grabbed the opening slot on the most anticipated metal tour of the summer, "The Unholy Alliance Tour".

"Right now we are thinking, 'Holy fuck, we got the big one!'" says Wolfe about the tour. "We couldn't be more excited to be a part of 'The Unholy Alliance Tour' and as of right now it's still overwhelming."

The tour — which is headlined by SLAYER and features MASTODON, LAMB OF GOD, CHILDREN OF BODOM and THINE EYES BLEED — will launch on June 6, 2006 and run for two months across North America.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we have always dreamt of having as a band," adds Wolfe. "Personally we have no choice but to go out and prove ourselves being the ‘underdogs’ of the tour and we want to take full advantage of it. We have worked so hard to get to this point and it's really going to show. This tour will definitely leave its mark in every city it hits. It's a tour that any metalhead shouldn't pass up."

Before the massive tour begins, THINE EYES BLEED — who released their debut album, "In the Wake of Separation", on The End Records in June of 2005 — will be out on the road all spring on various tours, including opening slots on tours with SIX FEET UNDER, RINGWORM and NECROPHAGIST.

The fury surrounding Slayer's upcoming album and recently announced "The Unholy Alliance Tour - Preaching to the Perverted" has not died down and new information is still being revealed piece by piece.

The four original members of SLAYER ­ Tom Araya/bass, vocals, Kerry King/guitars, Jeff Hanneman/guitars, and Dave Lombardo/drums - the pioneers and undisputed kings of extreme speed/thrash metal, have entered a Los Angeles-area studio to record what will be their first new studio album since 1990's "Seasons In The Abyss." Rick Rubin, who helped solidify the much-emulated Slayer sound beginning with their genre-defining 1986 classic "Reign In Blood," has taken the helm as executive producer of the project.

Working closely with Rubin will be Josh Abraham (Korn, Velvet Revolver, Atreyu) who will produce the album. "We're real happy to have Josh on the team," said Slayer's Jeff Hanneman. "He's a very creative and intuitive guy, he knows music, and he really gets who Slayer is and what we're doing." The as yet untitled album will be released on Slayer's long-time label, Rubin's American Recordings/Warner Bros. Records, and is expected out this fall. As previously reported, The new album is expected to feature 11 songs, one of which will carry the title of "Cult".

"Dave's been back with us, playing live, for a couple of years now, and we're all looking forward to recording together again," said the band's Tom Araya. Kerry King added, "There really is no one like Dave ­ he doesn't have to work at what he does, he just walks in, picks up his sticks and goes."

Said Lombardo, "It feels really good being back with the same guys I started out with. The chemistry is definitely there, that's the exciting part of it, to capture that chemistry again. And that's what is happening."

Jeff, Tom and Kerry have been writing songs for this new album since they wrapped their last North American tour in September 2004. "This is probably the most prepared we've been to record an album since the 80s," King added. "We've been writing and cutting demos for months." While these may change, working titles for some of the songs that will be recorded include "Catalyst," "Cult," "Supremist," and "Consfearacy." "I like to write songs that have different meanings for different people," said King, "where everyone can say, ŒI know what he means,' but still get their own sense of what the song is about."

Finally, on 6.6.06 (a date already snatched up by for numerous death metal releases, most notably Deicide's) in San Diego, CA, Slayer will kick off a seven-week summer trek, "The Unholy Alliance Tour ­ Preaching to the Perverted," that boasts what has got to be the genre's coolest line-up of the summer ­ Lamb of God, Mastodon and Children of Bodom (who will rotate the second and third slots), and Thine Eyes Bleed who will open the shows. Not only is the line-up terrific, but ticket prices will reportedly not exceed $39.00, giving fans a great value for their dollar.

According to Slayer's long-time manager Rick Sales, "We want to make 'The Unholy Alliance' tour an annual global event, so we decided to be smart about the design from the beginning. We chose to book most of the tour's shows at indoor venues, as that allows the bands and the fans amenities like air conditioning and indoor bathrooms, as well as the very best stage lighting, production, and sound and less expensive concession prices. The few shows that will be played outside will be played at night in permanent facilities with our lighting, production, and so on. Everyone wins."

With more dates and details to be added, the confirmed dates so far for "The Unholy Alliance Tour ­ Preaching to the Perverted" are as follows:

LAMB OF GOD drummer Chris Adler has commented on the band's upcoming U.S. "Uholy Alliance Tour" with SLAYER, MASTODON, CHILDREN OF BODOM and THINE EYES BLEED.

LAMB OF GOD are currently at home in Richmond, Virginia recording their sophomore Epic CD with producer Machine (CLUTCH, KING CRIMSON) for an August release.

Commented Adler: "Since we took the time off to write our new record, several well known tour opportunities and offers did hit the table — many discussions occurred late last year, but at the time we were uncomfortable committing to the projected lineups. It's a tough line to walk weighing opportunity vs. what you consider the intention and integrity of the project. You have to know yourself and respect your audience or you will lose step very quickly. We are heavy metal band — we're not interested in trying to sell a record to everyone. We write 'ugly' music for 'ugly' people and we have no intentions of lightening things up for more appeal. If you know of us and don't like us now, you never will and we aren't missing you.

"When discussions began with SLAYER about a U.S. run together, we knew this needed to happen. We've done shows together in the U.K. and let me tell you, it is one of the most intense and brutal nights of music I have ever witnessed both on and off the stage. This will not be a normal heavy metal tour, this is roaming devastation. As a lifelong fan of heavy music, this is the show that I would want to see — this is the show that the fans deserve — this is the show that will raise the bar and this is the show that will not be forgotten."

LAMB OF GOD may introduce new material from their forthcoming album on the "Unholy Alliance Tour"

It was too good to be true. Contrary to previous speculation, SLAYER will be hitting the road with LAMB OF GOD, MASTODON, CHILDREN OF BODOM, and THINE EYES BLEED for the Unholy Alliance Tour. The following is from an MTV.com article:

"Dubbed the Unholy Alliance Tour, the trek will make stops in most major cities, although the actual routing of the run is still being fleshed out. Either way King's anxious to hit the road again.

"It's been 18 months since we've toured in the States," he explained. "People are going to be chomping at the bit to see us again. Our initial thought [with Unholy Alliance] was to go up against Ozzfest, because I think that tour's getting a little bit tired and I think people are tired of going out and getting sunburned for hours every summer. Every place we play is going to be indoors, with a good-sized lineup. We're certainly not going to try to make Ozzfest go away. We're just trying to offer an alternative."

According to Rick Sales, SLAYER's manager of 18 years, the idea's to make the Unholy Alliance Tour an annual event "with the best bands out there." During the fall of 2004, SLAYER, SLIPKNOT, MASTODON and HATEBREED toured Europe under the Unholy Alliance tag. Sales also wants to take the tour global and said following its U.S. run, the Alliance will return to Europe, followed by stints in Japan and Australia — although, he noted the lineups would be different on each leg.

"I think we're in a different spot than Ozzfest," Sales continued. "This is more extreme and it's not involving any sort of 'radio bands.' It's a no-compromise lineup, the best of the breed. We think this is a great live event and that the tour will become bigger than the lineup. I think Ozzfest has proven that."

SLAYER, who Sales said declined an Ozzfest 2006 invite, will deliver an hour-plus set to close out each night of the Unholy Alliance; THINE EYES BLEED will open on all dates, followed by BODOM and MASTODON (who'll be rotating slots) and then LAMB OF GOD. King said SLAYER will debut some new material from the stage.

On Tuesday SLAYER entered a Los Angeles studio, where they started recording the 11 songs that'll comprise their yet-untitled album. Rick Rubin (JAY-Z, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS) will executive-produce the disc, while Josh Abraham (VELVET REVOLVER, STAIND) will turn the knobs. One of the songs has an official title ("Cult"), but all of them, King promised, will be devastatingly grim.

"There are definitely things you can't write about in SLAYER, and there are definitely things people expect you to write about," he said. "Everybody expects war, Satanism or anti-religious stuff — and this record's chock-full of that."

The LP, which the band hopes to finish in time for a late June release, will be the first to feature original drummer Dave Lombardo in more than 15 years. Their last outing together was 1990's Seasons in the Abyss.

"[Drummer] Paul [Bostaph], who we did God Hates Us All with, kind of had an elbow problem, and now he's with EXODUS," King said. "When Paul left us ... it was brought to our attention that Dave was available. And we figured if anybody should be doing this, it should be him."

Most of the 11 songs SLAYER will record were written more than two years ago, the guitarist said. "We're hoping to do it old-school and record everything in like four weeks," he added. "We're ready. This is probably the most ready we've been since Seasons. We've been spinning our wheels in rehearsals, just waiting for the green light on this thing. Now that we've got it, we're ready to go.

"It's definitely going to be a riff-fest," King continued. "There's riffs all over the place. As much time as we've had to work on it, there better be riffs on it. I think anybody who likes SLAYER, musically, is going to love it."

While Sales said SLAYER's studio LP probably won't be in stores by June 6, he says the band will release a digital download, EP or something else to coincide with the tour launch.

On Saturday, MTV2's "Headbangers Ball" will feature an exclusive interview with bassist Tom Araya regarding the forthcoming album and the Unholy Alliance run."

Slayer entered the studio this past Tuesday to begin recording their new album with producer Josh Abraham (Velvet Revolver, Staind). The album, which is being executive produced by Rick Rubin (System Of A Down, Red Hot Chili Peppers), is expected to feature 11 songs, one of which will carry the title of "Cult". Furthermore, the band plan to launch a two month US run this June under the banner of the "Unholy Alliance Tour". Other bands featured on the bill include Mastodon, Lamb Of God, Children Of Bodom and Thine Eyes Bleed. There are intentions to make the tour itself an annual run, for more on all of that and Slayer's new album, check here.

Sam Dunn is a 30-year old anthropologist. He's also a lifelong metal fan. After years of studying diverse cultures Sam turns his academic eye a little closer to home and embarks on an epic journey into the heart of heavy metal. His mission: to try and figure out why metal music is consistently stereotyped, dismissed and condemned, even while the tribe that loves it stubbornly holds its ground - spreading the word, keeping the faith, and adopting the styles and attitudes that go way beyond the music.

Sam visits heavy metal landmarks as far flung as L.A.'s Sunset Strip, the dirty streets of Birmingham and the dark forests of Norway. Along the way, the two sides of Sam Dunn - curious anthropologist and rabid fan - collide, as Sam explores metal's obsession with sexuality, religion, violence and death, meets his heroes and discovers some things about the culture that even he can't defend. Part social document, part celebration of a misunderstood art form, this documentary is the first of its kind: a chance for metal fans to speak out and a window into a culture that's far more complex than it appears.

The film is written and directed by Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen and is distributed by Seville Pictures.

The film opened in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Quebec City yesterday (Feb. 24) and will open in the U.S., UK, Germany, Australia, Scandinavia, Brazil, Japan, Poland and Belgium in early March.

Slayer guitarist Kerry King has recently been talking about the follow-up to 2001's "God Hates Us All," due by the end of the year.

"[It doesn't have a name yet] because every time you give one of those out, it always changes anyway.

"I think the idea is to get eleven [songs] on there. We have the music for ten and I have lyrics for four of those, so we're in the home stretch.

The upcoming CD will be the group's first studio recording since drummer Dave Lombardo rejoined the band back in December 2001.

King has previously said he wants Dave Sardy to produce Slayer's next album, but now there is rumour that the band may collaborate with "Reign in Blood" producer Rick Rubin. "I don't know if he's heard what we've been doing lately, so we'll probably have to go do a demo in Dave's garage again, like the old days, get it to Rubin and see what he thinks."

Having just wrapped up another year, I'd like to take a moment to reflect on what made this year a great year in metal.

Like last year, I've polled the entire staff here at metalunderground.com about their favorite albums of 2005. This year we've also added a few more categories as well. At the end of announcing the winners of all of the categories, the entire ordered list of nominees will be presented, because there was simply so much good metal to check out.

So without further ado, I'll present Metalunderground.com's staff picks for the following categories: Best Metal Album of 2005, Best Metal Newcomer of 2005, Best Live Act of 2005, and Most Anticipated Release for 2006.

Best Metal Album of 2005

There were some great metal albums released in 2005, although dare I say not many landmark albums. Still, a few great releases rise to the top of 2005 and the nod for Best Metal of 2005 goes to:

Best Metal Newcomer of 2005

Bands eligible for "Best Metal Newcomer of 2005" included bands who have released their first full length album or released their first album on a somewhat major metal label, or even have no formal release at all. This is a tough category to get consensus on, since we all have different tastes in metal and will hear of only a relatively few new bands each year. The band who rose to the top should be no surprise, however, as they've made waves and generated loads of press for being such a young band. Metalunderground.com's Best Metal Newcomer of 2005 is:

Trivium

Despite there being many great new bands coming out in 2005, only one other band got multiple nominations from the staff at metalunderground.com in this category.

Runner-up:3 Inches of Blood

Best Live Act of 2005

Best Live Act was by far the most competitive category we voted on, since it was not restricted to releases from this year. The winner may not be expected by many metal heads, but at the same time may come as no surprise to those who have seen them live. Metalunderground.com's Best Live Act of 2005 is:

Apocalyptica

Apocalyptica embarked on their first full-fledged headlining US tour in 2005, and won the top votes from two of our staff (including myself) - enough to ensure victory. While the band plays cellos, their performance is as heavy and intense as any true metal band's you'll ever see.

As I mentioned, the competition was tight in this category, and we had seven more bands get multiple nominations and were right on the heels of Apocalyptica when the votes were counted.

Most Anticipated Release for 2006

Most Anticipated release for 2006 as a category also generated a wide range of nominations due to the complete difference in people's tastes in metal. However, the few bands that got multiple nominations were really no surprise. The Most Anticipated Release for 2006 is:

Slayer

Slayer is well overdue for an album. Between their parent label being bought up and touring heavily, Slayer has delayed putting out an album since 2001's "God Hates Us All." Still, several other bands are garnering a lot of anticipation for new releases, including these:

Runners-up:In Flames - Come ClarityMetallicaVader

Looking back, 2005 was a great year in metal despite there being few or no landmark releases. Nu-metal was all but nonexistent with the exception of its few top remaining bands such as Disturbed, Korn (who have moved away from metal once again) and System of a Down. Metalcore seemed less of a huge trend than the previous year, as the good bands have risen above the label and hardcore/metalcore elements have found their way into other styles of metal.

Last year was a huge year for many newer and up and coming bands putting out albums. But it was an even bigger year for many seasoned bands and old school metal bands - some recently reunited - on the tour circuit. 2006 looks to be even bigger with a slew of big releases by big name bands slated for release and more headlining tours by many of last year's up and comers as well as those bands reunited in 2005.

Finally, here is the entire list of nominations for the 2005 categories voted on, because all of these bands are worth looking into: More...

MTV News spoke with members of some 30 hard rock and metal bands about the Dimebag they remember. They told MTV how much he'd meant to them, they shared fond memories and spoke of the impact he made on their lives and their music. Here are several excerpts from the article:

David Draiman - frontman, Disturbed: "During our second Ozzfest, we were holed up in Dallas for about two or three days ... hanging out at Dime's place — it was an eclectic house. There's all kinds of Pantera memorabilia and Dimebag memorabilia all over the place. But you could never make the mistake of falling asleep at Dime's. He'd wake you up the way he always did: with firecrackers. He'd always set off an entire chain of firecrackers not two inches from my head. One time ... Dime took us to a strip club where we all judged a bikini contest. There was never a wrong time in the day for Dime to hit a strip club. ... Dime was just this character who was very easy to love. He didn't have a bad bone in his body, and was ready to give you the shirt off his back at all times. It was his mission in life to make sure every single moment you spent with him was the best moment of your life. He was selfless."

Zakk Wylde - frontman, Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society: "Whenever you were around Dime, there was never a boring moment. He was the coolest guy on the planet. He was an even better person than he was a guitar player, if that's even possible. Whenever me and him would hook up, forget about it, bro. We'd always have to have a spare kidney, liver and pancreas on ice."

Brian Fair - frontman, Shadows Fall: "Dime seemed to have a real problem with the clock on our tour bus. It all started with his tour manager trying to tell him it was time to leave. ... We were having a good old time and Dime didn't want to go to bed. So, as soon as he was told it was time to leave, he grabbed the clock off of the wall and screams at the top of his lungs, 'There is no time!' and he smashed his hand right through it. The clock was made of glass and metal, and shrapnel flew everywhere. He went through three clocks on our bus like that. Anytime anyone tried to tell him it was time to go, he'd destroy the clock. He didn't want to end the party — he wanted it to keep going. We kept replacing the clock because we wanted to see what happened next."

Fear Factory are looking at possibly touring Europe with Slayer in March 2006, the group's drummer Raymond Herrera revealed in a brand-new interview conducted by HeavyMetalSource.com. During the interview, Raymond also spoke about the group's songwriting process for their last two albums, his gaming business and his drumming influences. Raymond also said that Fear Factory will be taking a couple of months off following the completion of their current North American headlining tour so that vocalist Burton C. Bell can be around for the birth of his first child. Check out the 14-minute interview in both audio and video formats at this location.

In other news, Fear Factory have been confirmed for next year's edition of the Atarfe Vega Rock festival, set to take place March 10-11, 2006 at Nave Medina Elvira in Atarfe, Granada, Spain. Other bands scheduled to appear at the festival include Twisted Sister, Gamma Ray, Testament, Nuclear Assault, Masterplan, Behemoth, In Extremo, Monsorrow and To/Die/For. More confirmations will be announced soon.

According to a recent interview with "Metal Hammer", Slayer are hoping to have Dave Sardy (Marilyn Manson, System Of A Down) produce their next album which they expect to be record this fall. A release next year via American/Warner is being planned.

Metal Hammer: Shouldn't you be releasing a record soon? It's been four years since "God Hates Us All".

Kerry King: "It seems like everybody under the sun says, 'We want a new record,' but at the same time, they keep saying, 'We'd really like you to come back on tour.' That shit bumps everything on the backburner. The funny this is Dave [Lombardo, drums] and me have had a 10-song demo we did up at his house that's been lying around since March 2004. I know Jeff [Hanneman, guitar] has written a couple , and I've written a couple more since then, so this week we're going to start the process of getting back together and nailing this thing. With luck, we'll start recording by September. I'm hoping to work with Dave Sardy, who was with us for 'Undisputed Attitude'. Lombardo wants Rick Rubin for drums, and I've no problems with that because, in my opinion, it's what he's best at. But I think we're all pretty much agreed that the overall producer will be Sardy."

Metal Hammer: Is Lombardo back for keeps now?

Kerry King: "As far as I know, Dave is back in the band. It was 12 years we were apart, and that's 12 years of growing up for everybody. Actually, I think we're probably a better band because of it. It seems to me like Dave's having a great time, and I know he gets up in front of some of those 30,000 crowds and thinks, 'Man, this rocks!' he's playing better than he's ever played."

Kerry King: "Exactly. Having Dave back in the band is one of the highlights of my whole time in SLAYER. There are kids that could've been into us for over 10 years that never got to see us the way we are meant to be. I just saw ANTHRAX at one of those Euro festivals with Joey [Belladonna] — and I liked John Bush to death, y'know, he was a great singer — but something just happens when Joey plays. As for [JUDAS] PRIEST, when Ripper joined, I didn't see 'em once."

Metal Hammer: Having been around for almost a quarter of a century, what do you think SLAYER did right that the other pioneers of the thrash movement did wrong?

Kerry King: "Well, we never took time off from the thrash movement like METALLICA did. We didn't get sidetracked by pop music like MEGADETH did. We didn't lose our frontman like ANTHRAX did. I probably felt competition with those bands at the time thrash was taking off, but we always knew that none of those bands were better than us. We just went out and kept doing our thing."

Metal Hammer: What do you think went wrong for METALLICA?

Kerry King: "One word: 'Load'. But also, whenever you think enough of yourself to play with an orchestra, that's when you're too big. People say to us, 'When are you guys going to do that?' And I'm like, 'Never.'"

Metal Hammer: You've had your fair share of run-ins with MEGADETH over the years.

Kerry King: "People say, 'What's your problem with [Dave] Mustaine?' To which I say, 'Well, he's a cocksucker, for one thing.' But my problem with MEGADETH is, I don't know who that band is anymore. It's like the METALLICA thing. Who's METALLICA? Is METALLICA the band that did 'Master of Puppets' and 'Ride the Lightning', or is METALLICA the band who got to the point where they felt they could put out 'Load' and 'Reload'? It's lie, 'Who are you?'"

Metal Hammer: How long can you keep this up? It's hard to imagine SLAYER not being around.

Kerry King: "It's hard to put a time scale on it. I do know I can't do this for another 25 years. We're more of a physical band than a band like [BLACK] SABBATH, who can keep coming back. Tony [Iommi] is a great guitar player, but if you put a time-lapse camera on him, he'd probably move 10 feet the whole show. We can't be like that. If we had to come and do a show when I was 60, I'd probably bust a vertebra."

Mediaskare Records is looking to Slayer's fans to name our upcoming tribute compilation to Slayer. A MySpace page has been set up here where fans are encouraged to send their album title suggestions. In addition, video clips of New Dead Radio recording "South Of Heaven" and The Burning Room recording "Mandatory Suicide" have been posted on the MySpace page. Videos are set to be added weekly to the page to document the making of this unique compilation.

Set for an early 2006 release, the compilation is set to have song contributions from the following artists: Death By Stereo, On Broken Wings, Asesino, Scars Of Tomorrow, The Esoteric, Cold War, The Taste Of Blood, New Dead Radio, Silent Civilian, Contra, The Human Abstract, The Burning Room, In This Moment, Suicide Silence, A Different Self, plus more T.B.A.

Sweden Rock Festival is asking fans to vote for 30 bands they want to see at the festival. To vote, visit www.swedenrock.com and click on "Vi frågar er." Click on up to 30 of the bands you want to see, then click the "Skicka" button.

According to Punknews.org, Mediaskare has announced plans for a hardcore tribute to influential metal act Slayer. The tentative list of participants includes The Warriors, On Broken Wings, Dino Cazares (ex-Fear Factory), New Dead Radio, Silent Civilian, The Taste Of Blood, Cold War, Contra, and The Burning Room.

In 2003, a similarly themed tribute was released by Spook City. The compilation, titled "Cover in Blood" included performances by Most Precious Blood and Sworn Vengeance but tracks were confined to the material from Slayer's classic "Reign in Blood" album.

The label is aiming for a November 8th release and expects to confirm more artists shortly.

Dave Lombardo will be back with Fantomas for their tour of Japan and Australia, which happens from September 5-13. His commitments with Slayer prevented him from touring the UK and Europe with the band recently.

Warner Bros. Records has announced that American Recordings — headed by legendary hip-hop and rock producer Rick Rubin — has joined the Warner Bros. family of labels.

The partnership entails that American Recordings will sign and provide creative services for artists, while Warner Bros. will handle promotion, publicity, sales, marketing, and distribution. Current American Recordings artists who will make the transition include Swedish political punk rock band INTERNATIONAL NOISE CONSPIRACY, singer-songwriter DAN WILSON, and extreme metal pioneers SLAYER. American will be based out of Warner Bros.' Burbank, California, headquarters where Rubin will maintain an office.

In 2007, Warner Bros. will also acquire the rights to the extensive American Recordings catalog, which includes JOHNNY CASH, THE BLACK CROWES, the JAYHAWKS, SLAYER, and DANZIG. Warner Bros. was American's home from 1992 through 1997.

Now Rubin is excited to be back with Warner Bros., citing the stewardship of CEO Tom Whalley as his primary reason for returning. "Tom Whalley grew up in the record business in the same way that I did," Rubin says. "He understands the grass roots development of artists and the importance of growing real careers in a time when most executives are looking for short-term success, which ultimately yields short-sighted goals. Tom understands that if artists are developed and nurtured the right way from the beginning, they'll stick around for a long time.

"Of all the labels," Rubin adds, "Warner Bros. is the rock label. All the biggest acts on it are rock artists. The company has a better understanding of rock and eclectic music than any other in the industry. It's a perfect fit."

Whalley is equally excited about the deal with Rubin. "Rick has been a driving creative force in popular music for two decades, discovering new artists, nurturing established ones, and bringing about their success time and again," he says. "We are thrilled to have him back in the fold."

Rubin has produced such landmark hip-hop albums as RUN DMC's "Raisin' Hell", BEASTIE BOYS' "Licensed to Ill", and LL COOL J's "Radio", as well as best-selling music by such diverse artists as RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, JAY-Z, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, TOM PETTY, WEEZER, AUDIOSLAVE, DIXIE CHICKS, and JOHNNY CASH. The co-founder of classic hip-hop label, Def Jam, with Russell Simmons, Rubin struck out on his own in 1988 and formed American Recordings. The label built its reputation with chart-topping hits by such artists as SYSTEM OF A DOWN, BLACK CROWES, and SIR MIX-A-LOT.